Tretinoin
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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.

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3.5
1649
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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August 20, 2012

Pros:

-makes skin smoother

Cons:

-HORRIBLE initial breakout
-drying
-sunburn easily
-face constantly red

I really tried to have high hopes for this product. After reading all these reviews, I was skeptic to use it. I decided to try it...it was the WORST decision i have ever made in my ENTIRE life. Seriously. I used it for 3 months and just stopped it last week because I couldn't handle the emotional and physical pain. It made me breakout, and the breakout never stoppped. For three months straight. I am left with acne in areas I never had before and deep purple marks all over my cheeks and chin. Every time I look in the mirror I want to cry. I'm trying the holistic approach now, and it's doinf much more then retin a micro has done in the past wasted months of my life. I don't know if I'll ever be able to heal mentally or physically from this. On some people this product might work, but for me and some others, it doesn't. Acne should be treated from the inside, not the outside. These chemicals are way too harsh. I wish i could reverse time :(
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August 6, 2012

Pros:

None!

Cons:

This was too irritating for my skin. It looked like it burned my skin off.

I do not recommend it.
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May 6, 2012

Pros:

Inexpensive

Cons:

Didn't work
My acne got worse and never got better
I believe it worsened my scarring and never made it better
I was red and peeling the entire time I used it with no improvement with my PIH

Not for me
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March 4, 2012

Pros:

none

Cons:

painful dryness and redness
more acne
takes a long time

I started having acne my senior year of high school because before that I pretty much had no acne. My dermatologist put me on tretinoin 0.05% starting in may of last year. In the beginning my face got so dry and raw it was very painful. Not only that but my face began to break out more. After a couple weeks the dryness went away and I now only had more acne. I used it for 6 months before finally stopping. I saw no improvement and honestly my acne was worst than it had been before and now I have horrible acne scars. If I could go back and choose not to use this I definitely would.
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March 4, 2012

Pros:

Probably would have worked if I had the patience to wait a year...

Cons:

Just made it unbearable
Expensive with no insurance

I didn't put down any pros because I ended up not having any. I took it for 4 months and I imagine if I had maybe moderate or less acne then it maybe would have done the job. Topical treatment alone will not work for my coin sized cysts so I am going on Accutane. Although I left no pros, I might consider using tretinoin after I finish Accutane to keep the acne away permanently and also because it is supposed to work for scaring and wrinkles. This product was expensive though. Tretinoin is supposedly the generic and it cost me about $100 (uninsured). I got a very large amount though for that much money. I probably could have gotten a year out of that container.
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February 2, 2012

Pros:

-Noneeee

Cons:

-So much more acne
-Dries my skin out

So I've been using this for a few months and I understand there is an initial break out period, but it just hasn't stopped. I've been using it for three months and all it does is dry my skin out and give me like seven new pimples for every one it eliminates.
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February 1, 2012

Pros:

none

Cons:

one use could screw up your skin for a long, long, long time

In August I used 0.025% tretinoin gel on my face a grand total of two times. The second time I put it on, the left side of my face started burning like crazy after 20 minutes and I washed it off immediately. Since then, the left side of my face hasn't been the same. It becomes irritated just from washing with gentle cleanser. It becomes irritated at random. It's all pimply now because I can no longer put BP on it. The derm gave me clindamycin which I can tolerate but it's nowhere near as effective as BP. I was a moron for trying this stuff. had I stuck to BP I would have been fine. Instead I've suffered for 5 months because I decided to try Retin-a ONCE. Even though I put the retin-a on my whole face, it's just the left side that has suffered. I look at the right side of my face and know that I could have clear and healthy skin if it weren't for retin-a. Before you try retin-a, try something else or you could end up like me.
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January 12, 2012

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Need a prescription
Makes you sensitive to the sun
Didn't help my acne
Burns

Retin-A didn't work at all for me. It just burned my skin and made me sensitive to the sun.
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December 25, 2011

Pros:

Reduces oil

Cons:

Bad breakouts
Peeling
Redness
Sensitivity

Used the 0.5 cream version alone for 3.5 months and my face actually worsened. I experienced bad breakouts AKA cystic acne that I have never really experienced for a looong time on my trusty sage advice stuff and some peeling and very reddened skin. I also had red, scaly patches that I feared would remain forever if I continued using. Finally after more than three months of cringing in the mirror when I look in my face I knew it was time to throw down the towel. I'm sure my experience would have been different and much better if combined with an antibiotic and/or abx topical cream. I would not recommened this product on its own.
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December 22, 2011

Pros:

none

Cons:

-does not clear up acne
-youll get huge undergrounders
-makes face EXTREMELY red and shiny
-redness stays even after you stop using it

I used this for around 6 months and it made it worse and shiny and red and did not help at all!!
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website